Spindle Toast?

[bkfl3400]

Got a used trailer and replaced the bearings and races inside the hub. One side went fine.Hub assembly slid right onto spindle. Other side had to use some force to remove the hub from the spindle. It appears the spindle has a bad spot or damage near the end of the spindle close to the threads A bearing by itself not in the hub will not slid onto the spindle. It catches just past the threads. Tried emery board but that has not worked. Can I use a dremel tool or file to get rid of the bad spot. When do I know if my spindle is toast?
Thank you for any information.

 

[4JawChuck]

Re: Spindle Toast?

In general it is not a great idea to attack bearing seats with a dremel tool unless there is a ding on the edge that is easy to see. Can you identify the problem portion of the seat? I would spend a few minutes and look carefully at the seat to find the problem.

I find people do less damage to a bearing seat if they stick to hand tools so I would recommend a small flat fine file first and emery paper wrapped around the seat so it stays concentric, use the paper like you are shining shoes. The file will help you find any high spots.

Sounds like the edge of the seat has a hammer mark which will come out easily with a file.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Spindle Toast?

A Dremel tool is a great tool for this and actually better than a flat file as it will not bite nearly as hard. Spindles are bad when the bearing journal (the area where the inner and outer bearing sit are way too loose. The area where the seal rides also wears and therefore the seal cannot keep out water.